Frequently Asked Questions

Project Vanguard operates through a multi-entity structure designed to enable education, advocacy, and operational execution while maintaining strong governance. Project Vanguard USA LLC is the for-profit operational backbone — it owns the shared infrastructure (CRM, digital platforms, brand assets), executes strategic planning, manages communications and media production, and provides contracted services to the nonprofit entities at fair market value.

The Project Vanguard Foundation — the entity whose website you are on now — is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated exclusively to charitable and educational purposes: public education on energy and workforce development, veteran workforce training programs, research publications, educational conferences, and community outreach. The Foundation is nonpartisan and does not engage in lobbying or political activity.

The Project Vanguard Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization focused on policy advocacy and public engagement: legislative lobbying, advocacy campaigns, grassroots mobilization, and coalition building. Each entity has independent governance, separate finances, and distinct legal obligations — with written agreements governing any collaboration between them.

The Project Vanguard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization. It operates exclusively for nonpartisan, educational purposes and is the entity through which Project Vanguard delivers workforce development and public education programming.

The Foundation's primary activities include:

• Public Education — Educating the public on energy, infrastructure, and the role veterans play in the workforce.
• Veteran Workforce Training — Developing and delivering programs that help veterans build careers in the energy industry.
• Research & Publications — Producing policy analysis, workforce reports, and educational materials for the public and policymakers.
• Educational Events — Hosting conferences, workshops, and forums that bring together veterans, industry leaders, and educators.
• Community Outreach — Building capacity in veteran communities and connecting military families with resources.

As a 501(c)(3), the Foundation may not support or oppose candidates for public office, engage in substantial lobbying, or conduct partisan political activities. Donations to the Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

The Project Vanguard Action Fund is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization — a separate entity from the Foundation. It is the entity through which Project Vanguard engages in policy advocacy, legislative lobbying, and grassroots mobilization on behalf of veterans in the energy sector.

The Action Fund's primary activities include:

• Legislative Lobbying — Engaging with lawmakers and policymakers to advance pro-veteran, pro-energy legislation at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Advocacy Campaigns — Running public campaigns that amplify veteran voices in energy policy debates and infrastructure development.
• Grassroots Mobilization — Organizing veterans and supporters to speak up at public hearings, town halls, and community meetings in support of energy projects.
• Coalition Building — Partnering with trade groups, industry stakeholders, and allied organizations to build broad support for an All-of-the-Above energy strategy.
• Public Policy Education — Informing the public about the intersection of energy security, national security, and veteran workforce development.

The Action Fund must operate primarily for social welfare purposes and cannot operate primarily to support or oppose political candidates. Contributions to the Action Fund are not tax-deductible.

We do not charge veterans, military family members, or employers any fees, dues, or charges of any kind.

As a 501(c)(3), the Foundation is supported by tax-deductible charitable donations and grants that fund our public education and veteran workforce development programming. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

We never charge for membership. We have a varied and wide-ranging membership:

• Veterans in Energy — The original members of the organization are all veterans who currently work in energy and wanted to connect with the other 10 percent of the energy workforce that also served in the military.
• Veterans Interested in Energy — Whether you just got out of the military, you're in the market for a new job, or you're interested in a career with more upward mobility, we can support you.
• Military Family Members — We talk a lot about veterans, but we will always give the same level of support to the military spouses who served alongside us.
• Energy Military Supporters — We welcome civilian supporters to our community and value your efforts to help veterans find meaningful careers in the industry.

There are multiple ways to engage with the Project Vanguard community, and the time commitment depends on your level of involvement:

• Join Us — Sign up here, it takes less than a minute.
• Post in Slack — We have an entire digital community in Slack with hundreds of members who are eager to welcome you. Network and job shop at your own speed.
• Show Up — Attend educational events, connect with industry professionals, and explore career opportunities.
• Volunteer — Support our educational mission by helping with events, mentoring transitioning veterans, supporting outreach and marketing, and growing local community.
• Community Leaders — Organize local chapters and mentor transitioning veterans (10 hours/month).
• Industry Partners — Hire veterans, host an educational event, and provide opportunities for our members to learn about and engage with your work in the industry.

Ready to volunteer? Sign up to volunteer here →  or  Join as a member →

We recommend:

• Join the Slack Channel — When you sign up you'll automatically receive an email to join our Slack channel.
• Post in Slack — Introduce yourself in #0_start_here: your name, military background, where you are now, what you're doing now, and what you're interested in (hobbies, career goals, how you want to participate).
• Join Slack Channels — Join the #general channel and your local chapter channel.
• Explore Career Options — Join the #jobs channel. Connect with other veterans. We can guide you to roles across the value chain including logistics, operations, finance, project development, construction, manufacturing, and sales.
• Attend an Event — Engage with veterans and industry professionals to connect and learn from each other.

We don't offer direct services, but we do have an amazing community of industry professionals to rely upon.

The #jobs channel is the best place in the community to recruit and find your next role. Employers, recruiters, and hiring managers post opportunities directly — and you don't have to be a veteran to post a job there.

We don't seek to place veterans. Project Vanguard is not a staffing firm. What we provide is a wrap-around peer network — whether you want your first industry job, a new job, or are just looking for job advice. The pathway works like this: you meet someone who posts a role, you prove through conversation and engagement that you're the real deal, and they in turn tap HR on the shoulder to help you get a screening call. From there, it's up to the veteran.

The expectation is that the bar goes up with your military service, not down. We want the best we can get into this mission-critical industry. Referrals are key for efficient and effective career transitions — and this community is how you earn them.

The #events channel is your go-to for finding networking events across the country — from national industry conferences to local state chapter happy hours and meetups. Members post upcoming events, coordinate who's attending, and organize informal gatherings in their area.

You'd be surprised how many people find their next career connection at a Project Vanguard happy hour. Showing up in person is one of the fastest ways to build your network and make the relationships that lead to opportunities.

Beyond #0_start_here, #jobs, and #events, we recommend joining:

• #general — The main conversation channel for the community.
• Your local chapter channel — Connect with veterans in your state or region. This is where your local community lives.
• Branch-specific channels — Find members who served in your branch and share that immediate bond.

You can network and job shop at your own speed. Some members check in daily; others pop in when they need something. The community meets you where you are.

We do not provide direct placement services. However, we have an amazing community and series of events throughout the year across the country that your talent acquisition team can plug into.

• Join our Community — We keep a list of recruiters and talent managers so that we can make referrals and engage in discussions around the strategic workforce development framework we are building.
• Post Jobs — Promote opportunities specifically to veterans in our Slack channel. You don't have to be a veteran to join and post.
• Attend Events — Our events are great places to connect with veterans already in energy, as well as those exploring pathways into the industry.
• Start / Grow a Veteran Employee Resource Group (VRG) — These groups are tremendous assets for companies looking to organize their existing veteran workforce. VRGs are also effective for leveraging other veterans to engage, promote, hire, and retain military talent.
• Promote Project Vanguard — Share Project Vanguard not only with your talent management but also with your employee resource group and veterans already in the company. Those are the best advocates for new veterans and military family members seeking new careers.

The Foundation partners with companies to:

• Host workforce development programs — Engage transitioning service members and veterans in educational pathways toward meaningful careers.
• Sponsor educational events — Support conferences, workshops, and forums that connect veterans with industry knowledge and each other.
• Support research and publications — Help produce workforce reports and educational materials for the public and policymakers.

The Foundation educates the public about an All-of-the-Above energy strategy, with a focus on:

• Veteran Workforce Development — We build educational career pathways for military veterans getting into energy. Currently, 10 percent of the energy workforce is composed of military veterans. We seek to double that by educating and developing military talent in the industry.
• American Energy Dominance — We educate the public on market-driven solutions that provide a portfolio model of energy resiliency and stability through an All-of-the-Above energy strategy.
• Energy Security — We help the public understand how diverse energy sources strengthen national security, decrease our dependence on foreign adversaries, increase our ability to export energy sources such as LNG to our allies, and secure our military force projection for years to come.

We chose our name because we are leading from the front of energy. We are the vanguard for our forces.

There are too many veteran acronym organizations out there — "Veterans in X". While descriptive, we wanted a name for the organization that reflected our military heritage without beating you over the head with it.

When you become a member, you are signing up for our newsletter. You will also gain access to our Slack community of veterans in energy.

When you become a volunteer, you'll be first in line for opportunities to support our educational mission — helping run events, mentoring transitioning veterans, contributing to community outreach, and sharing your story through speaking, op-eds, and podcasts.

The Community Leader Fellowship is built for veterans and military spouses at every stage of their energy career — young professionals breaking into the industry, experienced managers looking to expand their influence, and senior executives ready to give back. What they all share is a drive to find their next tour of duty.

The ideal candidate sits at the intersection of military service, energy industry experience, and servant leadership. Whether you're new to energy or a seasoned executive, we're looking for people who:

• Have command presence with strong public speaking skills
• Bring a servant leader mindset — always looking to help other veterans
• Miss the camaraderie and fraternity of the military
• Are able to commit to 10 hours per month for 1 year

Military spouses are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Through the Foundation's fellowship, Community Leaders have monthly programming directed at core educational and community-building objectives:

• Grow their Personal Brand — Publish thought leadership, build a social media following, and become a micro-influencer within the energy industry.
• Grow their Professional Network — Your fellowship cohort is your starting point. You'll be the face of your state chapter and the center of that community.
• Increase Industry Awareness — Gain situational awareness of the energy landscape through webinars on policy, strategy, financing, and innovation.
• Build the Community — Grow your chapter's membership through community-building events, volunteer drives, and outreach.

The fellowship's educational arc moves through Recon & Training and Organizing — equipping fellows with the skills, network, and community foundation to lead.

Project Vanguard currently operates 10 chapters with plans to expand to 20 by 2026 with over 50 fellows. Chapters are selected based on veteran density, employer density, project density, and the need for outreach.